How to Clean a Throttle Body on a Car

Introduction

The throttle body is an important part of your car’s engine. It controls
the amount of air that enters the engine, which in turn affects the
engine’s speed and power. A dirty throttle body can cause a number of
problems, including rough idling, poor acceleration, and decreased fuel
economy.

Fortunately, cleaning a throttle body is a relatively simple and
inexpensive task that you can do yourself. In this article, we’ll show
you how to clean a throttle body on a car.

Materials You’ll Need

• Throttle body cleaner
• Shop rags
• Old toothbrush (optional)

Safety First

Before you start working on your car, it’s important to take some safety
precautions. Disconnect the negative terminal from your battery to prevent
any electrical shocks. Also, allow your engine to cool down completely
before you start working on it.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Locate the throttle body. The throttle body is usually
   located on the intake manifold, which is the large metal tube that
   connects the air filter to the engine.
2. Remove the air intake hose. This is the large rubber hose
   that connects the air filter to the throttle body. Use a screwdriver to
   loosen the hose clamp and then pull the hose off of the throttle body.
3. Spray throttle body cleaner into the throttle body.
   Be sure to spray the cleaner into all of the ports and crevices. Let the
   cleaner sit for a few minutes to allow it to work.
4. Use a shop rag to wipe away the dirt and grime from the
   throttle body. You may need to use an old toothbrush to get into
   some of the hard-to-reach areas.
5. Reinstall the air intake hose. Tighten the hose clamp
   using a screwdriver.
6. Reconnect the negative terminal to your battery.
7. Start your car and let it idle for a few minutes. This
   will allow the throttle body to learn the new idle position.

Troubleshooting

If you’re having trouble cleaning your throttle body, here are a few
troubleshooting tips:

• Make sure that you’re using the correct throttle body
  cleaner. Not all throttle body cleaners are created equal. Be
  sure to use a cleaner that is specifically designed for your car’s
  engine.
• Let the throttle body cleaner sit for long enough. The
  cleaner needs time to work to dissolve the dirt and grime.
• Use a toothbrush to get into the hard-to-reach areas.
  A toothbrush can be a great way to remove dirt and grime from the
  small ports and crevices in the throttle body.
• If you’re still having problems, you may need to take your
  car to a mechanic. A mechanic will be able to diagnose the
  problem and make sure that your throttle body is clean.

Conclusion

Cleaning a throttle body is a relatively simple and inexpensive task that
can improve your car’s performance and fuel economy. By following the
step-by-step instructions in this article, you can easily clean your
throttle body and get your car running like new again.